Bachmann dials down Obama criticism

MINNEAPOLIS - U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann is retreating from a statement she made two days ago that Barack Obama "may have anti-American views."

The comment by the first-term Republican fueled a surge of campaign donations to her opponent, Democrat Elwyn Tinklenberg.

Bachmann appeared on a WCCO-TV show on Sunday to say she isn't saying that Obama's views are anti-American. She says, "That was a misreading of what I said."

But she says the Democratic presidential nominee's views are "concerning" and deserve more media attention. She says if he's elected it will mean tax increases, socialized medicine and climate change taxes.

Bachmann is running for re-election in Minnesota's 6th District on the northern edge of the Twin Cities.